Beer: American Craft Beer Week celebrations

It’s American Craft Beer Week, folks, which means us beer geeks have an extra excuse to enjoy wonderful, wonderful craft beer. OK, we don’t really need another excuse, but hey, there it is. Anyway, to celebrate the greatest week ever known to man, a number of Columbus’ best beer bars are rolling out events. Here’s what’s on tap for this weekend.

Barley’s Ale House No. 1

Barley’s has already released its delicious Bicentennial Imperial IPA — coinciding with both Columbus’ 200th and Barley’s 20th birthdays. The two casks on tap this week are the Scottish Ale dry hopped with Simcoe and Cascade varieties and the Oaked J Scott Francis ESB dry hopped with Fuggle. Barley’s will also have their weekly Firkin Friday with a (double-hopped) Rye IPA. Hopheads, activate!

Bodega

With 51 beers on tap, this spot would be a perfect destination for beer drinkers anyway, but co-owner Collin Castore has been holding a few special kegs for the last couple of months to roll out this week. Each day, Bodega will have a new surprise tapping from breweries like Dogfish, Mikkeller, He’Brew (“the chosen beer”) and 3 Floyds. Bodega’s newly revamped menu will also feature food specials that pair perfectly with these brews.

Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus

Elevator has special events planned for both Thursday and Friday. Tonight, the brewery is teaming with Grandview Theatre, 1247 Grandview Ave., for the Elevator Beer Film Festival with beer-themed films “The Saddest Music in the World” and “Strange Brew.” Fans of Isabella Rossellini and the word “hosers” must attend. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the $20 admission includes both films, a T-shirt and joyous beer activities.

Friday, from 6-8 p.m., the restaurant and bar hosts its second annual Bark & Brew Fundraiser to benefit the Downtown Dog Park. The $20 admission includes a brewery tour, food, beer and a commemorative pint glass.

World of Beer

This week, Alive’s Best of Columbus winner for Best New Bar welcomes Bell’s Brewery for a spotlight with three stouts (Cherry, Double Cream and Java), the Sparkling Ale and the Third Coast Old Ale barley wine on tap.